'Extremist' Republicans were the ones who saved country from catastrophe of default: PennLive letters

The Democrats and the media had repeatedly warned that no agreement on the debt ceiling would result in the U.S. defaulting on its public debt. However, this is not true. Adherence to the Constitution would make a default impossible. Amendment 14 of the U.S. Constitution demands that the public debt be paid, which obligates the President to prioritize incoming revenues to pay the public debt. Currently, the U.S. collects $250 billion monthly while interest on the debt is $20 billion monthly. The only way a default could occur is if the president willfully violates the Constitution.

The total lack of willingness by the president to negotiate with the Republicans coupled with the president's total disdain for the U.S. Constitution indicates that he was prepared to willfully default on the debt. Faced with the dire consequences of default, the Republicans were forced to reach a debt ceiling agreement that contained no measures to reduce future spending.

The country is fortunate that these "extremist" Republicans were able to prevent a worldwide catastrophe.